Date: Tue, 10 Mar 1998 16:24:15 -0700 From: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Subject: GLAAD AND CHASTITY BONO STAND FIRMLY BEHIND ELLEN MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Cathy Renna, (212) 807-1700 pager: (301) 215-1354 e-mail: renna@glaad.org GLAAD AND CHASTITY BONO STAND FIRMLY BEHIND ELLEN Bono to Appear on "Larry King Live" on Wednesday, March 11 LOS ANGELES, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1998-For the past year and a half, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has served as one of the television program Ellen's biggest advocates. A recent article in Daily Variety has falsely called that support into question. In Variety's coverage of GLAAD's efforts to save Ellen from rumored cancellation, the publication presented GLAAD entertainment media director Chastity Bono's comments out of context. Bono's objective speculation about the program's status was erroneously presented as the opinion of the organization. "Since the moment I learned Ellen's character might come out, I recognized the extraordinary opportunity to use my position and GLAAD's resources to support her and the program," said Bono. "To suggest that I feel her work has been anything but groundbreaking for the lesbian and gay community is just not true-and to misrepresent my views and ignore the work I've done in support of Ellen for the past 18 months is an outrage." GLAAD has dedicated its time, energy, and resources to providing support to Ellen DeGeneres and her creative team, rallying the gay and lesbian community behind her work, and working closely with ABC Television with regards to the program. "Ellen has been one of the single most important events in television and entertainment history," said Joan Garry, GLAAD's executive director. "The show has demonstrated to America themes that transcend sexual orientation in a style that is entertaining and appealing to all audiences. Variety's irresponsible publication of this article overlooked GLAAD's extraordinary body of work on this issue." Chastity Bono will be appearing on "Larry King Live" on Wednesday, March 11, 1998 from 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. EST on CNN. -30-